A CAMPAIGN has been launched to reduce the number of long-term vacant properties and provide homes for local people.

Housing officers in Hambleton are working with owners and landlords to find ways of renovating properties to use as housing.

They are drawing up a strategy and contacting owners, urging them to join forces to help the district's housing needs.

Enforcement powers that came into force this month allow councils to take action against owners who leave properties empty unnecessarily. The law allows the council to take over managing a property and rent it out.

Head of housing Eric Kendall said: "Reducing the number of empty properties in Hambleton is one of the council's key aims.

"It will not only go some way to satisfy unmet local housing needs, but will also help us to achieve 'decent homes' standards across all sectors of housing.

"There are currently 392 homes empty in the district, and our aim is to see most of them brought back into use."

New standards to ensure that as many people as possible live in a decent home have been introduced across the UK. The target defines modern expectations for housing, and applies to private and rented houses.